Coming Home Again Vol. 1 Issue 1 Joe Morris

Vince Dawson
Cardinals Voice Since 1992
Vince’s relationship with Joe Morris started years ago when hey lived
together after graduating college. During that time they learned a lot about
each other while they were growing up. Vince said, “I don’t want to give
too much away.” They had a good time and got to know each other. Vince
finally got Joe to watch the Exorcist even though Joe does not like scary movies.
Coach David Morris lived with them for a while and it is where Vince’s
friendship really developed. They have called games together and David is
very knowledgeable of the game. Vince has learned so much about football
from both of them. Vince said, “It is just crazy how they analyze and how
they go about it. You learn their philosophy and when your living with them you also pick up their superstitions.”
Coach Mac for example wore red socks only one day a year--the Tilghman game. All those years he kept the same
pair of socks all that time which is incredible. Vince is sure it was Margie who was the genius to keep them for him.
While attending Mayfield High School Vince was involved with Roger Fields, Scott Schlosser, Jack Morris, Paul Leahy
and Lanny Lancaster through his growing up years . When you are involved in sports you spend more time with your
coaches than you spend with your family and the coaches help mold Vince and so many his age. Of Course, Mrs Shirley Ford
Colby help mold so many young people my age. You always remember them from you high school days. Coach Fields was
always very gracious as was Coach Schlosser and Coach Morris..
While at Murray State Vince worked with Coach Beamer who is now in the college Hall of Fame. Vince stated, “He
was not only a great coach but a very good man.” Now his son Shane has followed in his footsteps and is at Oklahoma. Coach
Mahony took over after that and they had the Mahony Show. He is still coach high school football. Coach Green was there
during his time at Murray as well.
Vince was also involved with Baseball Coach Johnny Reagan (who has the baseball field named after him at Murray
State. Vince tells how Coach Reagan called everyone by their sir name. Dave Winders was David and Vince was Vincent.
They were at Austin Peay for the OVC tournament. Coach Reagan came over and said Vincent I am going to Shoney’s for a
piece of pie would you like some. Vince said, “I will be fine.” Coach ask him if he would stay in his room and take messages
while he was gone. (That was before we had cell phones) Vince thinks Coach knew what was coming but Vince was not
aware that the coach was one of the most powerful men in college baseball. Coach
Reagan was chairman of the tournament placement committee and that determined
where you go and who got the home game. When Coach Regan came back to his
room and ask, “Vincent did anybody call?” With a hand full of notes of calls Vincent
yelled Coach, Coach Ron Pope called from Mississippi State. Coach Reagan stated,
Now, Vincent remember that Coach Ron puts his pants on like you do--one leg at a
time.” That was classic Coach Johnny Reagan!
In 1992 I started with Ron Gentry and Randy Reeves and in 1993 was Coach Leahy’s
first year as head coach. The year started off bad however they won the state
championship that year..
The one thing that Vince realizes is that over the years is the value of the friends he
has made over the past 30 years.
His daughters do not want to go with him, especially during football season because
there is someone always wanting to talk football. For him this is a lot of fun. He
sees people like Scott Robbins that remind him of a game against Tilghman in 1992
when it was rainy and cold and most everybody had left even Lon Carter Barton. Scott
recalls falling on a fumbled ball on the one yard line with no time on the clock. With
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